Irra Ariella Khi is a visionary entrepreneur, deep tech innovator, and humanitarian leader. As CEO of Zamna, she is at the forefront of transforming global travel security and digital identity verification, working with governments and airlines to make border control faster, safer, and more efficient. At the same time, as the founder... Read more
Irra Ariella Khi is a visionary entrepreneur, deep tech innovator, and humanitarian leader. As CEO of Zamna, she is at the forefront of transforming global travel security and digital identity verification, working with governments and airlines to make border control faster, safer, and more efficient. At the same time, as the founder of Sunflower Relief, she leads frontline humanitarian efforts, delivering aid to communities affected by war in Ukraine.
A second-generation Ukrainian immigrant now based in the UK, Irra’s journey into the tech world was far from conventional. With a background in history from the University of Oxford, she quickly gained recognition for her ability to challenge norms, break down barriers, and push industries forward. Before founding Zamna, she built and scaled multiple businesses, navigating the deeply male-dominated fields of cybersecurity and venture capital, where she learned first-hand the biases women face in investment and leadership.
At Zamna, Irra is reshaping how identity is verified, using AI and cryptography to remove friction from airport security and border processes. Her company has secured major partnerships with leading airlines and global institutions, demonstrating how cutting-edge technology can drive both efficiency and security.
But Irra’s work extends beyond technology. As war broke out in Ukraine, she refused to stand by. She founded Sunflower Relief, a direct-action organisation that provides urgent humanitarian aid and long-term support to those affected by conflict. Balancing the pressures of scaling a venture-backed business with leading emergency relief efforts, Irra brings a unique perspective on resilience, leadership, and impact-driven entrepreneurship.
She is a sought-after speaker on topics including:
Whether speaking on innovation, entrepreneurship, or leadership under pressure, Irra captivates audiences with her sharp insights and ability to turn challenges into opportunities.
The tech and cybersecurity sectors remain overwhelmingly male, with women receiving only a fraction of venture capital funding and holding a disproportionately low number of leadership positions. As CEO of Zamna, Irra Ariella Khi has firsthand experience overcoming these systemic biases, securing investment, and leading in an industry where female founders...
In an era of increasing digitalisation, identity verification remains one of the biggest challenges for security, privacy, and efficiency. As the CEO of Zamna, Irra leads the development of cutting-edge AI and cryptographic solutions that transform how global travel security operates. Working with governments, airlines, and border agencies, she is...
When war broke out in Ukraine, Irra didn’t just watch from the sidelines. She founded Sunflower Relief, a humanitarian organisation delivering frontline aid to those affected by conflict. At the same time, she continued to lead Zamna, proving that business leadership and social impact don’t have to be separate worlds.
In...